Chapter 1

The next morning I got back for breakfast at about the normal time. Yes, Emma had been a very happy bunny, but she had to get up quite early to attend to her charges, brainless little feathered things whose short life was essential to the game side of this estate making a profit. I had said to her the night before that we were going to have to get someone in to help. This was written into the original business plan, so there was no problem there, but with the revised and extended ideas for joint operation we hadn't done anything about it.

Speaking of the previous evening, Emma and I had snuck off to a pub a few miles away for supper, which had been most enjoyable. This was not because I didn't want to be seen with her in any of the places where I would take HL, but I knew that her wardrobe would cause her embarrassment in any posh joint, and I didn't want that. I had promised, almost Svengali like, to mould her into something special and I meant it. When we arrived at her flat we took a mug of coffee to bed, but after we had made love very slowly it was stone cold. As she lay there she asked if I regretted her pregnancy.

"No," I replied, "not in any way." And I caressed her tummy. "I'm looking forward to this swelling up."

"Huh! All fat and bloated you mean."

I ignored that and caressed her breasts. "And these being full of milk that I can suckle. After junior of course."

"Well, it might make them a reasonable size," she said. "They've always been so small. Everyone takes the piss out of Miss Tiny Tits"

"I love them just the way they are. But milky will be good. Big you don't need, look at poor Laura, she says they are always getting in the way."

"Yes, of her working when you want to get your hands round them!"

"Do I detect just a teensy touch of green eyes there? Laura is an interesting dalliance, she has certain ... attributes that are ... interesting."

"Oh yes," she giggled, "and what are they?"

"I couldn't possibly say anything about a lady, you'll have to find out for yourself." I told her.

"I might just do that."

I laughed. "Then we'll compare notes."

We then went into round two, forgetting all about coffee. But faced with Emma you could do that very easily.

When I entered the kitchen, whistling as is my wont, and also to give notice of my arrival, I found two happy ladies preparing breakfast.

"We're eating for four." I was told when I queried the amount of food on offer. "And then there's you and Emma, so that makes at least seven."

"Is Emma coming?" I asked.

"Well I hope she already did," giggled HL. "But, yes, she'll be here." I didn't ask why I didn't know.

When Emma arrived we all four, or possibly seven, sat around the kitchen table and enjoyed breakfast.

"Where's Chrissie this morning?" I asked.

I don't think I'm psychic, but at that moment she came through the back door like small tornado; whirlwind I suppose, and she obviously wasn't happy. She shot through the kitchen in floods of tears, and we all looked at one another.

Sarah stood up and went after her, returning about ten minutes later.

"She's in her room, but she won't talk to me."

"Shall I..." I asked.

"Yes," said HL. "You might do better than us."

I found Chrissie in her room crying, and knocked on the door.

"Can I come in?"

There was no reply, just renewed sobbing, so I entered. Chrissie was on her bed sobbing away so I went and sat on the end of the bed. She sat up and moved to me and I put my arm around her.

"Tell me what the problem is."

"It's Dad," she sobbed. "He's leaving us. He's got another woman."

"Well, that's not good. How's mum taking it?"

"She just sits around crying. Why are men such bastards?"

"D'you know I'm not the best one to answer that. I don't think we all are, in fact I don't think many of us are really. Think back to how mum and dad have been getting on over the last few years. Perhaps that'll tell you something."

"Well," she sniffed. "I know mum's been much happier since she's been working here." Dangerous ground, I thought. "But dad's spent most of his time out over the last year or so anyway, so I reckon he's had a girl friend all that time. And mum had got awfully boring and frumpy before she started here ... this wouldn't have anything to do with you would it?" And she sat up and looked at me.

"Hmm ... not from what you are saying." I side stepped. "But don't be too hard on your dad, remember he is your dad, and it's not you that he doesn't love anymore, I'm quite sure. If your mum's attitude has been as you say then I expect some woman that he has met has taken a fancy to him and he's fallen for her. Don't have a go at him, just be supportive for your mum."